Californis Grill dress code

[Liz Z]

My DH and i just had dinner at the Cali grill in October. Fantastic meal!!
It was a birthday dinner and we dressed up.
I just scored a perfect time for all 3 of us for April. So..........

My question is~~~we'd like to take my DD(25) for dinner after spending the day at MK.
We'll be in park attire~~skorts, shorts and nice tops. Would this be appropriate

When we ate there i did see lots of different outfits so i'm assuming we won't be turned away.

Thanks for your help

 

[MarkF0wle]

I would expect you would be fine. I don't think the dress code nowadays is about what you must wear it's more a case of as few things you can't wear, like swimwear, offensive words on shirts, tank tops on men, etc...

That said, when I dined at Narcoossee's this May there were maybe 2 men in there eating in what I would consider swim shorts & flip flops.

 

[Liz Z]

I would expect you would be fine. I don't think the dress code nowadays is about what you must wear it's more a case of as few things you can't wear, like swimwear, offensive words on shirts, tank tops on men, etc...

That said, when I dined at Narcoossee's this May there were maybe 2 men in there eating in what I would consider swim shorts & flip flops.

Thank You You have set my mind at ease. Swim shorts and flip flops That's just wrong.

 

[RookieLady]

My brother went in wearing a t shirt last week. I forgot to mention we were eating there, and we arrived directly from the parks. No problem. We were a little out of place on the elevator, but once we got up there, the dress ran the gambit. I wore a tennis skirt and a collared athletic shirt and felt perfectly comfortable (although the elevator ride up had people really dressed, so that will be there, too).

 

[GaryDis]

swim shorts & flip flops.

No shirts? That would be a radical change for Disney.

 

[Liz Z]

No shirts? That would be a radical change for Disney.

not that it would surprise me LOL

 

[Hopefully]

My brother went in wearing a t shirt last week. I forgot to mention we were eating there, and we arrived directly from the parks. No problem. We were a little out of place on the elevator, but once we got up there, the dress ran the gambit. I wore a tennis skirt and a collared athletic shirt and felt perfectly comfortable (although the elevator ride up had people really dressed, so that will be there, too).

I would have been totally uncomfortable dressed that way!! Will you be allowed in? Obviously yes. But it is an upscale Signature Restaurant with a requested Business Casual dress code. It is not enforced.
We always freshen up and dress up a bit for our Signature meals. It makes the evening even more special. I only dress up a bit and wear linen capris and a nice blouse. Not formal - but not theme park attire either.

 

[RookieLady]

I normally wear a casual dress but we just fell in that way because of the schedule. We were not out of place, and I think that was the other posters question. If you want to dress up, fine, but there are plenty of others who won't be.

 

[North of Mouse]

Dress codes are there, but obviously not enforced - you will see just about any type of attire.

 

[Happy_2_B]

The only restaurant where the dress code is enforced at is V&As to my knowledge. We always wear 'dress casual' to the nicer restaurants- but there will always be people dressed in park attire, so if you aren't wearing nicer clothes you won't be out of place.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Disney has gotten away form enforcing dress codes, except for V&A.
2) I, personally, think this is rude to other guests who do adhere to the dress code.
3) But, Disney cares about revenue, not politeness nor etiquette.

 

[Polydweller]

There is one thing that is enforced at this restaurant, and strictly too. They do not allow wearing of hats in the restaurant and you are told that and expected to take it off before getting on the elevator.

And Rusty, I don't think you are right about point number 3. It's more about practicality. Think about the fact that people are coming from spending a day at a theme park and what is normally worn there. It really isn't practical to expect people to go from MK to CBR (for example) to change and come back to CG. So, they set a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule.

 

[jrmasm]

There is one thing that is enforced at this restaurant, and strictly too. They do not allow wearing of hats in the restaurant and you are told that and expected to take it off before getting on the elevator.

And Rusty, I don't think you are right about point number 3. It's more about practicality. Think about the fact that people are coming from spending a day at a theme park and what is normally worn there. It really isn't practical to expect people to go from MK to CBR (for example) to change and come back to CG. So, they set a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule.

Exactly! Not practical for many for a variety of reasons.

 

[Uncleromulus]

There is one thing that is enforced at this restaurant, and strictly too. They do not allow wearing of hats in the restaurant and you are told that and expected to take it off before getting on the elevator.

And Rusty, I don't think you are right about point number 3. It's more about practicality. Think about the fact that people are coming from spending a day at a theme park and what is normally worn there. It really isn't practical to expect people to go from MK to CBR (for example) to change and come back to CG. So, they set a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule.

Exactly--it could take HOURS using Disney transportation to get from a park to a hotel and then to a restaurant. Hours of valuable park time wasted just for the sake of "looking good".

 

[TeresaWen]

For me dining in a signature restaurant is an experience - more than just eating dinner. From cocktails to the wine we choose to desert, we try to make it special. That includes dressing up. We enjoy that very much! I kind of like the trend to not dress. It makes those that do stand out. We have been the recipient of all different kinds of pixie dust from bartenders, servers, and restaurant managers.

Vacation means different things to each person. A few special dining experiences are an important part of our trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Think about the fact that people are coming from spending a day at a theme park and what is normally worn there.

1) Alas, Disney clearly states the dress code for dining.
2) Then, they allow people to wear almost anything.
. . . we have all seen evidence of people wearing items on the Disney no-no apparel list.
. . . sometimes, even to the point of offensive language or graphics on their shirts
3) As an example, collarless T-Shirts or torn jeans are not permitted, but Disney has gotten away from such prohibitions.
. . . Disney has even relaxed their definition of "business casual" over the past few years, let alone enforcing it
4) I have seen several guys wearing ball-caps, which to me is ALWAYS WRONG when eating at a table. (To me, even at a QS.)
5) But, I am admittedly older and believe in Emily Post etiquette - yes, call me a fuddy-duddy.
6) Of course, people could always place a change of clothes in a park locker, and change before dinner.
7) PER DISNEY for Signatures:

"Dress Code
Guests at this Signature Dining experience are asked to adhere to a business casual dress code.
Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.
Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.
Not permitted are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics."​

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Exactly! Not practical for many for a variety of reasons.

Exactly--it could take HOURS using Disney transportation to get from a park to a hotel and then to a restaurant. Hours of valuable park time wasted just for the sake of "looking good".

Then, maybe, a Signature Restaurant should not have been chosen, or change closes before eating.

 

[SouthJersey]

Exactly--it could take HOURS using Disney transportation to get from a park to a hotel and then to a restaurant. Hours of valuable park time wasted just for the sake of "looking good".

There's looking good and there's dressing appropriately.
I don't think anyone needs to get back home for hair gel and a suit, but sweat-soaked-now-dry t-shirts and odorous hats from a long day in the park are unbecoming.

 

[jrmasm]

Then, maybe, a Signature Restaurant should not have been chosen, or change closes before eating.

Obviously restaraunt management disagrees.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

People do eat in park attire. So you'll likely be just fine. That said, it is a nice restaurant. Perhaps this would be a good day to have some khakis or nicer sundress options! I know personally we tend to enjoy our fancier meals more when we feel fresh and well dressed. When coming from MK we usually just keep a change of clothes in a locker and change when leaving the park on the way to dinner. Plus, you'll get nicer family pictures at dinner that way!